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The Robert Koch Institute is the German government's central institution for the identification, surveillance and prevention of infectious diseases in the Portfolio of the German Ministry of Health.
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Federal Information Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (IBBS)

The responsibility of the Federal Information Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (IBBS) is to strengthen national public health preparedness and response capabilities to biological threats caused by highly pathogenic or bioterrorism-related agents ("special pathogens"). IBBS provides support for the public health sector regarding recognition, situation assessment and response to unusual biological incidents related to bioterrorism or any natural occurrence or accidental release of highly pathogenic agents. Key aspects of activity are:

Tasks

Preparedness and response planning for incidents related to special pathogens

Threat and risk assessment of highly pathogenic and bioterrorism-related agents

Risk analysis and development of risk mitigation strategies

Development of national preparedness and response guidelines

Assessment of needs for diagnostics, anti-infectious agents, vaccines and other pharmaceuticals

Single point of contact to the German "Permanent Working Group of Medical Competence and Treatment Centers" (Ständiger Arbeitskreis der Kompetenz- und Behandlungszentren für hochkontagiöse und lebensbedrohliche Erkrankungen, STAKOB)

Collaboration with national and international public health and security authorities

Information of the public health sector

Information on biological threats and special pathogens

Advanced training for the public health sector handling incidents related to special pathogens

Development of innovative concepts to inform and train public health experts

Studies in crisis communication

Response to bioterrorism or any unusual biological incident caused by special pathogens

Early warning system for unusual biological incidents

Public health risk assessment during such an event

Analysis of unusual outbreaks of infectious diseases in collaboration with the department for infectious disease epidemiology

Reporting to political decision makers

Assist and support state and local public health authorities during an event

Cooperation with relevant national and international authorities and institutions.